What is the difference between prostate enlargement and prostate cancer?
BPH, or benign prostate hyperplasia, is very common in men above the age of 40 due to increased testosterone levels. It is characterised by high PSA levels and prostate growth in the centre. However, in prostate cancer, the growth occurs in the margins of the prostate gland and leads to an increase in both PSA and alkaline phosphatase levels. Also, unlike BPH, prostate cancer can metastasize and spread to other parts of the body.
Which foods should be avoided by BPH patients?
Just as some foods benefit prostate health, certain foods can damage prostate health. Foods that can negatively affect the prostate gland include:
- Red and processed meat: BPH patients should foods that are rich in saturated fats and trans-fats. Hence, they should switch red meat to lean meats and fish in their diets to improve prostate health.
- Dairy: Similar to red meat, dairy products are rich in saturated fats. Instead of dairy, they should turn to nutritious foods like salmon, almonds, collard greens, tofu, etc. that are rich in calcium but low in saturated fats.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is diuretic and increases the urge to urinate and can irritate the bladder. BPH patients should cut out all sources of caffeine, like tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks, from their diets.
- Spicy food: Spicy and acidic foods irritate the bladder and prostate gland. BPH patients should avoid having spicy food too often.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is a diuretic and it irritates the bladder. BPH patients should either limit their alcohol consumption or cut it out of their diets altogether.
What are the first signs of prostate disease?
An enlarged prostate gland, or prostatomegaly, is a benign disorder but it can negatively impact the lifestyle in many ways:
- Weak urine stream
- Inability to completely empty the bladder despite frequent urination
- Having to wake up multiple times a night to urinate
- Constant urge to urinate
- Painful or burning urination
- Appearance of blood/blood clots in the urine
If you notice any of these warning signs then you may have prostate disease. Get in touch with the best urologists in Chennai through Pristyn Care for the best prostate treatment near you.
Which foods improve prostate health and stop enlargement?
Since prostate enlargement is such a common disorder in men, it is very important to maintain a nutritious diet that can help mitigate prostate disease. Some nutrients that benefit prostate health are:
- Zinc: Nuts such as sesame seeds, almonds, adzuki beans, and pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which is often low in patients with prostate disease, so they can help manage prostate disorders.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help protect the person from cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The best source for Omega 3s is salmon. You can also consume chia seeds, ground flax seeds, and canola oil for omega-3 fatty acids if you are a vegetarian.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is very beneficial for mitigating BPH symptoms. Bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflowers, kale and brussels sprouts are very rich in Vitamin C.
- Lycopene: Lycopene lowers the risk of developing BPH and slows down the progression of the condition by lowering the level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in the body, which can directly cause prostatomegaly. Lycopene-rich foods include tomatoes, avocado, nuts, watermelon, apricots, pink grapefruit, papaya, etc.
- Beta-sitosterol: Beta-sitosterol is very beneficial for BPH patients. Some doctors suggest Beta-sitosterol supplements to their patients. It helps provide them with the better urinary flow and less urine residual volume in the bladder. Some foods naturally rich in beta-sitosterol are avocados, pumpkin seeds, wheat germs, soybean, and pecans.
- Antioxidants: In addition to lowering the risk of BPH and prostate cancer, antioxidants are very beneficial for overall health. They are abundant in green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, onion, garlic, etc.
- Soybean isoflavones: More than one research study has shown that soybean isoflavones can reduce the growth of the prostate gland. Foods rich in soybean isoflavones include tofu, soymilk, tempeh, edamame, roasted soybeans, soy yogurt, etc.
Why get BPH treatment in Chennai at Pristyn Care?
Pristyn Care is the leading provider of BPH treatment in Chennai. It is associated with the best urology hospitals in Chennai and has the best urologists on its panel. Facilities provided by Pristyn Care for all BPH patients are:
- Treatment by expert urologists and urosurgeons: We are associated with the best urologists in Chennai who have ample experience in providing complication-free treatment for BPH.
- Dedicated care coordinator: We provide a dedicated care coordinator to all patients responsible for documentation and hospital admission to ensure a hassle-free treatment experience for all.
- Insurance support: We are associated with all major insurance providers and help provide insurance support for all patients, including documentation and claim recovery.
- No-cost EMI: If patients can’t afford treatment, we also provide financial support in the form of no-cost EMI payment options.
- Free cab and meal facility: We provide free cab and meal facilities to all patients and their attendants on the day of the surgery.
- Free follow-up: In order to ensure complete recovery, we provide free follow-up to all patients within the first week after the surgery.
- Rigid COVID-19 safety standards: To ensure that our patients are safe from the COVID virus, we follow rigid hygiene standards, including mandatory wearing of PPE kits masks, using sanitisers, etc.
How to prepare for BPH surgery?
Surgical procedures for BPH can be a strange experience for people. Surgeries can be stressful for the patient, but if the patient knows what to expect, it becomes easier for them emotionally and mentally. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for the surgery –
- Inform your doctor about any ongoing medications and health conditions before the surgery.
- It is also important to make your doctor aware of your history of allergies related to anesthesia.
- Stop smoking tobacco a week before the BPH procedure.
- Consult your doctor before taking medications as they can hinder the outcomes of the surgery
- Patients must not eat or drink 8 to 9 hours prior to the surgery as it can delay the effects of anesthesia.
Booking an appointment with the urologists for the BPH procedure at Pristyn Care.
- You can fill out the patient form on our website. Once your appointment form is submitted, our medical coordinators will reach out to you at the earliest and gather the necessary inputs from your end. An appointment with the nearest urologist for your BPH diagnosis will be fixed according to your schedule.
- You can also directly connect with our medical coordinators through the contact number on our website. The medical coordinator will listen to your query and connect you with the urologists near your area and book an appointment consecutively.
You can also book an appointment through our Pristyn Care app. Our team of medical coordinators will arrange an offline or online video consultation from doctors near your area, charging a nominal consultation fee.
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